Musical Theater

Musical Theater has been Cormac's first love since a very young age. Growing up, his influences came from Frank Loesser, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz and Andrew Lloyd Weber.

Cormac's work has been heard at the famed 55 Bar, Upright Citizens Brigade NY & LA, various off off Broadway productions, the youtube channel Machinima and Television's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

A breakdown of the process of mixing the cast album of The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

May 27, 2011

The Velveteen Rabbit

SELECTED SONGS FROM SHOW

Book and Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone and Anya SaffirMusic by Cormac Bluestone

Presented at ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANYBased on the book by Margery Williams BiancoDirected by Anya SaffirMusical Direction by Cormac BluestoneChoreography by Alison Beatty

…So begins the story of a very shy toy Rabbit made of velveteen and sawdust who longs to be loved. Newly adapted from Margery Williams Bianco’s beloved children’s tale of nursery magic and the secret life of toys, The Velveteen Rabbit takes us on the Rabbit’s musical journey from loneliness to friendship, from loss to Love, from innocence to wisdom, and finally…to becoming Real.

The writers have leavened the tale with humor — a musical number in which the more elaborate nursery toys boast is particularly funny... Mr. Bluestone has also injected wit into his score, which ranges in tone from barbershop quartet to doo-wop to English-style folk music.

— Laurel Graeber, The New York Times

Much of the narration and dialogue are sung a cappella, although at times there’s a soft cello and guitar accompaniment. The songs are catchy and move the story along quite well, and make the transitions between different parts seamless.

Friends in Transient Places

Written by Jonathan Caren, Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone and Jonathan Caren, Music by Cormac Bluestone.

Presented at Ars Nova, ANT fest November 1, 2010

"Friends in Transient Places" is comprised of a number of scenes amongst people flying together from New York to Los Angeles who all seem to be inexplicably intwined.

The Check In is the opening number from the show in which the whole cast arrives at JFK. Each of there personal struggles begin to manifest themselves within the tribulations of preparing to travel.

The Botanist's Wife - Musical Short Film

Directed by Heath Cullens, Book and Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone and Julie Gearheard, Music by Cormac Bluestone

"The Botanist's Wife" was made by Acorn Pictures for the 48 Hour Film Project in Los Angeles, August 13-15, 2010. The Film Features Jeffery Addiss, Renée Brna, Ashley Lambert and Laura Hughes.

click for full album

The Amazing Adventures of Arthur McGilligutty

Book by Jeff Addis, Music and Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone

Atlantic Theater Company, "Atlantic for Kids", Fall 2005

"The Amazing Adventures of Arthur McGilligutty" or "The Boy Who Wasn't Afraid" is a loosely adapted Grimms Fairy Tale about a boy who sets out to learn what fear is after feeling too set apart from his family and friends.

Songs of William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing, 2015

The A.R.T./MXAT Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University presentsMuch Ado About Nothingby William Shakespeare

Directed by Anya SaffirOrignal Music by Cormac BluestoneAdditional Lyrics by Christopher Marlow

Twelfth Night, 2008

Atlantic Theater Company Acting School as part of the NYU Tisch program presentTwelfth Nightby WIlliam Shakespeare

Directed by Anya SaffirOriginal Music by Cormac Bluestone

Performed at the Atlantic Stage Two

As You Like It, 2005

Atlantic Theater Company Acting School as part of the NYU Tisch program presentAs You Like Itby WIlliam Shakespeare

Directed by Anya SaffirOriginal Music by Cormac Bluestone

Hamlet, 2007

Orpheus Productions presentsHAMLET by William Shakespeare

Directed by Anya SaffirOriginal music by Cormac Bluestone

Performed at the Atlantic Stage 2

Nominated for the 2007 Innovative Theater Awardfor Original Score

Romeo and Juliet, 2012

Northwest Passage and Tragedians of the City presentRomeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Directed by Anya SaffirOriginal Music by Cormac Bluestone

The Chernuchin Theater at American Theater of Actors

The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht

Presented by Pipeline Theater Company at Theater for a New City from March 5-19, 2011. Directed by Anya Saffir.

I wanted to do something different from the norm of existing productions of Caucasian Chalk Circle. I didn't want the music to sound "Brechtian" or "Theatrical". I wanted it to be completely accessible to anyone who heard it and I wanted it to be challenging and satisfying for the musicians to play every night.

Winner of the 2011 Innovative Theater Awardfor Original Score

click for full album

Composer Cormac Bluestone’s music is beautifully arranged with texture and layering that enhances dramatic moments and appropriately underscores the comedic spectacle of Chalk Circle, of which there is plenty.